Noises you hear on planes

[SeatBackForward]

Article in the SMH today:

Noises you hear on planes: Which in-flight noises should I really be worried about?

Oliver Smith
Sep 29 2015 at 5:14 AM

Nervous fliers have a tendency to scrutinise every little bump, whirr and thud they hear on board a plane. Was that a wheel falling off? Did the wing just crack? I could swear I just heard the pilot snoring in the coughpit…

But which sounds are routine and which should have you reaching for the safety card?

Noises you hear on planes: Which in-flight noises should I really be worried about?

So a question based on my own experiences: anyone else think this is a rubbish (dogged) article?

 

[defurax]

Actually I learned something. I always wondered what was that sound described in the article as the "dog in the hold" (cycling pump) which you hear only on Airbus twin engine and not B737.

 

[andmiz]

Actually I learned something. I always wondered what was that sound described in the article as the "dog in the hold" (cycling pump) which you hear only on Airbus twin engine and not B737.

It's still a rubbish article! Even more so was the condensed version that news.com.au ran (Fear of flying: Aeroplane noises explained) Ultimate click-bait.

(By the way, the PTU as described is not a fuel saving device.)

 

[Andyzx]

This is the only one that concerns me, well actually no noise and I don't care how far they can glide, its still a falling brick! :shock:

Complete silence – suggesting all/both the engines have failed – would probably concern most. But even then, all is not lost – if the engines can't be restarted, planes can actually glide for a remarkable distance. After Air Transat Flight 236 lost power on August 24, 2001, it managed an emergency landing in the Azores after gliding for 120km.

 

[spudwa]

Sad to say but after travelling down the back for so many years I've found my recent trips at the pointy end a little weird as I'm used to the roar of the jet exhaust not the hum of the intake noise. Thank god for the champers

 

[straitman]

Rubbish article.

Look at the cabin crew. If they are calm then you can remain calm :!:

 

[Dr Ralph]

If ever there was an article that should have never been written, this is it!

 

[dajop]

Aren't we all the critics? The second half (bad sounds) was unnecessary but the first half seemed quite reasonable to me (barring of course any technical inaccuracies).

 

[blackcat20]

The first time I flew as an adult, I noticed every sound and bump and thump. I didnt worry too much, as obviously the crew would indicate if there was an issue, but each noise really did catch my attention. To be honest, even when parts of the wings moved, I got a little nervy...but now I know whats going on so I dont pay attention.

 

[harvyk]

Rubbish article.

Look at the cabin crew. If they are calm then you can remain calm :!:

If they are a well trained crew, they will be calm through anything...

Which if you think about it is probably a very good way for all flyers to be no matter what the emergency...

 

[dajop]

Which if you think about it is probably a very good way for all flyers to be no matter what the emergency...

Unless of course some idiot is delaying an evacuation whilst retrieving their 20" wheelaboard from an overhead locker during an emergency evacuation ... in which case flyers have a right to lynch said idiot

 

[OzEire]

The sounds I listen for (ok subconsciously) are those that don't fit the normal routine of a flight. A recent example was the sound of an engine spooling down just after it started...sure enough we were towed back to the gate about 15 mins later. Throttle back in the cruise near TOD point might indicate an ATC delay or hold coming up. I'd say that even an FA intercom ping out of place (ie. Not just a door reporting-in at the normal times) would feel wrong and pique my interest. Not terribly useful except as a bit of an early warning of something changing.